Religious Humour in Evangelical Christian and Mormon Culture

Incorporating perspectives from religious studies, humour studies, cultural and film studies, and theology, as well as original data from textual analysis and the voices of religious comedians, this book critically analyses the experiences of believers who appreciate that their faith is not necessarily a barrier to their laughter. It is often thought that religion and humour are incompatible, but Religious Humour in Evangelical Christian and Mormon Comedy shows that humour is not only a popular means of entertainment, but also a way in which an individual or community expresses their identity and values. Elisha McIntyre argues that believers embrace their sense of humour, actively producing and consciously consuming comic entertainment that reflects their own experiences. This process is not however without conflict. The book argues that there are specific characteristics that indicate a unique kind of humour that may be called 'religious humour'.
Through an examination of religious humour found in stand-up comedy, television sitcoms, comedy film and satirical cartoons, and drawing on interview and survey data, the book outlines the main considerations that Christians take into account when choosing their comedy entertainment. These include questions about ideology, blasphemy, taboos around the body, and the motives behind the joke.